ACCRINGTON Stanley have denied that former Bolton star Jay Jay Okocha is to become their player-coach.

One national newspaper linked the 34-year-old skilled Nigerian midfielder with a move to the FES.

But club chief executive Rob Heys said: "I don’t know anything about it and where that story has come from.

"He has just been released from Hull City so he will be on big money.

"It is always nice to be linked with big players but there has been no dialogue - although if he wants to speak to us, he can get in touch."

Okocha, who is believed to still live in the Bolton area, was released from Premiership-bound Hull City at the end of the season and had said it would be his last club although his future is up in the air.

Stanley have been without a player-coach since Paul Cook left in 2006 to become manager of Southport and Paul Ince had been linked with a similar role with the Reds before he became boss at Macclesfield the following season.

Both chief executive Heys and chairman Eric Whalley have been at the Football League meeting in Portugal this week while manager John Coleman is on holiday so there has been little progress on the transfer front.

The Reds have agreed terms with defenders Colin Murdock and Chris King but are still searching for players to boost their squad.

But one name which may be of interest to the Reds is Rochdale winger Ben Muirhead. The Stanley boss chased the ex-Manchester United wideman when he was at Bradford City before he joined Dale, initially on loan.

Muirhead has had some solid games against Stanley and has one year left on his Spotland contract but has been placed on the transfer list. He has made 48 appearances for Rochdale and scored three goals.

Meanwhile Stanley fans will be able to plan their season when the League Two fixtures are released on Monday.

They should be out by 10am with the season starting on Saturday 9 August.

And Coleman admits one game he will relish is Bournemouth - a team with a special place for the Reds after they beat the Cherries during their memorable 2003/4 FA Cup run when they were a Conference side.

"I remember when we went to Bournemouth it was a big day," said Coleman, with Bournemouth relegated from League One last season along with Port Vale, Gillingham and Luton - who will start with a ten point deduction.

"I remember how special it felt coming away from there with a draw for our fans and then winning on penalties in the replay at home.

"That FA Cup run was really the catalyst for us going full-time.

"To be playing in the same league, on a level playing field, against them is a good feeling for us."

The Reds will also know their opponents in the first round of the Carling Cup today - and will be hoping for a money-spinning Champion-ship side. Stanley lost 1-0 to Championship side Leicester last season and beat Nottingham Forest on Sky television before being knocked out on penalties at Watford the season before.